Self-supporting support structure for wind turbine equipment

Abstract

Described is a self-supporting support structure for wind turbine equipment. The support structure can be accommodated in a hollow transition piece for connecting a tower of an offshore wind turbine to a foundation pile, or in a foundation pile itself. The support structure includes two or more floors placed vertically above each other and supported by upright supports. At least one floor connects substantially fittingly to an internal peripheral wall of the transition piece or the foundation pile, and said floor is provided with means for reducing its surface area, for instance foldable edge parts. Also described is a method for assembling at least a part of an offshore wind turbine, wherein the self-supporting support structure is applied.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A self-supporting support structure for wind turbine equipment, wherein the support structure is configured to be accommodated in a hollow peripheral body comprising a transition piece for connecting a tower of an offshore wind turbine to a foundation pile, or wherein the support structure is connected directly to the foundation pile, wherein the support structure comprises two or more floors placed vertically above each other and supported by one or more upright supports, at least one floor of the two or more floors is positioned substantially adjacent to an internal peripheral wall of the peripheral body, and said at least one floor is provided with means for reducing a surface area of said at least one floor, wherein there is a continuously uninterrupted gap located between an outer edge of said at least one floor and said internal peripheral wall and wherein said gap extends around an entire circumference adjacent to said at least one floor. 
     
     
       2. The support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for reducing the surface area comprise foldable edge parts of the floor. 
     
     
       3. The support structure according to  claim 1 , comprising three or more floors placed vertically above each other and supported by the upright support(s). 
     
     
       4. The support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein an upper floor is configured to couple said wind turbine tower to an upper side of the peripheral body. 
     
     
       5. The support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one floor comprises electrical switchgear, and this switching floor is situated a height of at least 2.5 m (8.2 ft) below an upper floor. 
     
     
       6. The support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one floor comprises guide means for electrical cables. 
     
     
       7. The support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one floor is provided with a hatch which provides access to an underlying floor. 
     
     
       8. The support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein a lower floor is provided along a peripheral edge with sealing means configured to realize a substantially airtight seal with the internal peripheral wall of the peripheral body. 
     
     
       9. The support structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the sealing means comprise a rubber profile. 
     
     
       10. A peripheral body provided with a support structure for wind turbine equipment, wherein the support structure is configured to be accommodated in a hollow said peripheral body comprising a transition piece for connecting a tower of an offshore wind turbine to a foundation pile, or wherein the support structure is connected directly to the foundation pile, wherein the support structure comprises two or more floors placed vertically above each other and supported by one or more upright supports, at least one floor of the two or more floors is positioned substantially adjacent to an internal peripheral wall of the peripheral body, and said at least one floor is provided with means for reducing a surface area of said at least one floor, wherein there is a continuously uninterrupted gap located between an outer edge of said at least one floor and said internal peripheral wall and wherein said gap extends around an entire circumference adjacent to said at least one floor. 
     
     
       11. The peripheral body according to  claim 10 , comprising said transition piece, wherein the transition piece comprises an internal said hollow peripheral body which is configured to be connected on an underside to the foundation pile and is provided on an upper side with a mounting means or flange for the tower, wherein an internal cavity of the transition piece is provided with the self-supporting support structure. 
     
     
       12. The peripheral body according to  claim 11 , wherein a lower floor is provided along a peripheral edge with sealing means configured to realize a substantially airtight seal with the internal peripheral wall of a foundation pile, and the lower airtight floor is situated a height below the mounting means such that, after coupling of the peripheral body to the foundation pile, this airtight floor connects to a stop provided on the internal wall of the foundation pile. 
     
     
       13. The peripheral body according to  claim 10 , wherein an internal cavity of the peripheral body is provided with the self-supporting support structure, and the peripheral body comprises on an upper side thereof a mounting means or flange for the wind turbine tower. 
     
     
       14. The peripheral body according to  claim 13 , wherein an upper floor of the support structure is configured to couple said wind turbine tower to an upper side of the peripheral body, and this coupling floor is situated a height of 3.9-8.2 ft below the mounting means. 
     
     
       15. The peripheral body according to  claim 13 , wherein at least one floor supports on a stop provided on the wall of the internal cavity. 
     
     
       16. A method of assembling at least a part of an offshore wind turbine, comprising the steps of providing the self-supporting support structure according to  claim 1 , and arranging the support structure in an internal cavity of the peripheral body. 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising of connecting said wind turbine tower to the peripheral body.